OSHA Recommendation
Worker protection is very important because ammonia is so dangerous. In the past workers have been injured and even killed working in facilities with ammonia refrigeration. Liquid contact or vapor from ammonia may cause injuries or even kill employees so that is why it is so important to keep industrial refrigerators in proper order at all times. Otherwise catastrophic consequences may result. In fact, there are many programs developed by OSHA to assist companies using industrial refrigeration to keep employees safe. For example, OSHA discusses vent pipes and their failures to help companies realize where problems may arise. The same goes for inspection systems and how important they are to keep up to date and constant in companies using anhydrous ammonia.
OSHA has also recommended that all workers in industrial refrigeration plants wear protective clothing in order to protect them in case of a spill, leak, or other similar event. OSHA has also published information on fire safety, respiratory protection, control of hazardous energy, personal protective equipment, and the like.
With OSHA playing a role in ammonia refrigeration and how it is managed companies and employees are all kept safer. That is the most important thing and thanks to OSHA employees working with ammonia refrigerant are now safer than ever.